The Wayro route from Otumba to Malinalco is 95 miles (153 km), about 2 h 17 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 95 mi (153 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-132 → MEX-132D → MEX-85D → Circuito Interior → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → EM 6 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Mexico City (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-132D, MEX-85D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Otumba to Malinalco is like
EM 6 (20 mi) and MEX-15D (12 mi) carry about 34% of the 95 miles. MEX-132D, MEX-85D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-132, MEX-15 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: State of Mexico, Mexico City. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Otumba to Malinalco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 3–11 | 8 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132D | 11–22 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-85D | 22–32 | 10 | State of Mexico, Mexico City |
| connecting roads | 32–35 | 3 | Mexico City |
| Circuito Interior | 35–40 | 5 | Mexico City |
| MEX-15 | 40–45 | 5 | Mexico City |
| MEX-15D | 45–57 | 12 | State of Mexico, Mexico City |
| EM 6 | 57–77 | 20 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 77–95 | 18 | State of Mexico |
- Mile 30 of this route: State of Mexico → Mexico City (state line)
- Mile 45 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 48 of this route: State of Mexico → Mexico City (state line)
- Mile 53 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
Stops between Otumba and Malinalco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 33), Museo Casa de la Bola (mile 41), Desierto de los Leones National Park (mile 52)
- Nature and outdoors: Desierto de los Leones National Park (mile 52)
- Museums and history: Catedral de Teotihuacán (mile 10), Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 33), Planetario Luis Enrique Erro (mile 33), Museo Casa de la Bola (mile 41)
- With kids: Planetario Luis Enrique Erro (mile 33)
Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan
The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is a pyramid at Teotihuacan, a pre-Columbian city in central Mexico that rose around the 1st or 2nd century BC and was occupied into the 600s or 700s.
Catedral de Teotihuacán
In Teotihuacán de Arista, the town at the heart of the municipality, the Cathedral Sanctuary of the Divine Redeemer serves as the seat of the Diocese of Teotihuacán.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the foot of Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City's Gustavo A. Madero borough, is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe within the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico.
Planetario Luis Enrique Erro
Run by the National Polytechnic Institute, the Planetario Luis Enrique Erro in Mexico City is a planetarium open to the public and one of the longest-running in Latin America.
Equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain
Cast by Manuel Tolsá between 1796 and 1803, this bronze equestrian statue in Mexico City honors King Charles IV of Spain.
Museo Casa de la Bola
The Museo Casa de la Bola is a museum in Mexico City, located in the city's Tacubaya neighborhood.
Desierto de los Leones National Park
Declared a national park in 1917, this fir, ash and oak forest in Mexico City's Cuajimalpa and Álvaro Obregón boroughs surrounds a former Carmelite monastery. Locals come to hike, run and cycle, and more than 100 bird species live here.
When you get to Malinalco
Malinalco
Carved straight into the hillside above Malinalco, the Cuauhcalli is a rock-cut temple at the heart of this archaeological zone. The Mexica took the Matlatzinca town around 1476 and used it to train and consecrate elite warriors.
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
More drives to Malinalco
- Valle de Bravo to Malinalco
- Zitácuaro to Malinalco
- Tlalpujahua to Malinalco
- San Juan del Río to Malinalco
- Tequisquiapan to Malinalco
- Salvatierra to Malinalco
From Otumba to other places in Mexico
- Otumba to Atlatlahucan
- Otumba to Tonatico
- Otumba to Amealco
- Otumba to Mineral de Pozos
- Otumba to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Otumba to Ihuatzio
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Otumba to Malinalco?
About 2 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 95 miles.
How far is Malinalco from Otumba by car?
About 95 miles (153 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Otumba to Malinalco?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Otumba to Malinalco?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Mexico City Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Otumba to Malinalco use?
In order: MEX-132, MEX-132D, MEX-85D, Circuito Interior, MEX-15, MEX-15D and EM 6. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Otumba and Malinalco?
Closest to the road: Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (catholic parish church, mile 33, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Casa de la Bola (museum, mile 41, 0.6 mi from the route); Desierto de los Leones National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 52, 1 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.